Digital photography is daunting but there’s no time like the present to discover how to take the perfect photo. We’ve rounded up the best places in the capital to learn the basics and share your shots

Looking through the viewfinder, you’ve got a perfect shot: the lighting is ideal, your subject in focus, the angle just right. Click. You look down at the screen and the photo is a blur, a lifeless version of the stunning scene that stands before you.

There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to navigate the plethora of buttons, dials and symbols on a camera. Admittedly, many of us put the dial on auto mode, point and shoot. But learning to use your camera to the best of its ability can open up a world of opportunities from capturing your child’s first steps to creating lasting memories on that holiday of a lifetime.

Abu Dhabi offers a wealth of wonder for both new and experienced photographers. From casual Meet-up groups and professional courses to help you hone your skills to awesome architecture and captivating culture that make unique subjects, there’s no shortage of possibilities.

Getting started

While many photographers opt to go it alone, taking a short course can take a lot of frustration out of the learning process and help you inject more life into your photos.

Jay Alonzo Photography Workshop conducts regular classes for beginners to intermediate photographers all at a moderate price. The classes are limited to 14 students at a time, giving you plenty of opportunity to work closely with the instructor. The four-hour Expert Beginner workshop is a great introductory class that guides students through the basics of using a compact or DSLR camera. Students will learn what features to look out for before purchasing a camera or lens, setting image size and quality, and learning the three most important camera settings every photographer should master. The Expert Beginner workshop starts from AED 180, or AED 150 if paid ahead of time. For more information, visit www.JayAlonzoPhotographyWorkshop.com

Photography enthusiasts in the capital, the UAE and even throughout the Middle East keep Gulf Photo Plus (GPP) on their radar. As well as offering a range of workshops from photography and Photoshop basics to underwater and food photography, the online site allows members to share tips, meet fellow snappers and buy and sell equipment. GPP holds monthly workshops in the capital. For more information, visit www.GulfPhotoPlus.com

Click and share

Even the most experienced photographer can benefit from sharing their work. The capital’s handful of intimate photography groups allows both new and experienced snappers to gather feedback, offer advice and speak with like-minded enthusiasts about being a photographer in Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi Photographers welcome snappers of all skill levels to their free meetups. As well as organising bi-weekly sessions to discuss ways to improve their shots, the group also holds competitions. A group of passionate creative minds gather together for Abu Dhabi Creative Club to share advice and discuss topics that relate to a variety of art subjects from photography to writing. The group also hopes to soon hold exhibitions of its members’ works.

Get Inspired

The capital’s abundance of stunning architecture, fascinating culture, luxurious hotels and unique attractions provide a host of opportunities for photographers. From the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to the rolling red dunes of the ‘Garden City’, there is plenty of inspiration for your winning shot.

Regular competitions around Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre Photography Competition, the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority’s annual Emirates Photography Competition and the Al Ain Photographia Award, all offer a great chance to see what other photographers capture and how your shots shape up.

Set to snap

There are three key settings every photographer should master. The aperture, shutter speed and ISO are used in combination to create an exposure.

Shutter speed: Measures how long a camera’s sensor is exposed to light. When you press the shutter button, the blades that block this sensor open and close, letting light in.

Aperture: Simply put, aperture is a hole in the lens that allows light to pass through to the imaging sensor. Most cameras allow you to change the size of this hole so more or less light can pass through.

ISO: This measures your camera’s sensitivity to light. The higher the ISO, the more sensitive it is. Keep in mind that if your ISO is set too high it will result in a grainy photo.

Rachael Peacock